"It's been a pleasure! The body as the place of relationship, of relationships, of encounter". This was the main theme of the PRE-T and EYM Leaders General Meeting held in Rome between the 25th and the 28th April 2019. 110 boys and girls, all between the ages of 17 and 25, from the different communities in Italy, who for four days have been reflecting, praying and raising questions together on the theme of the body and of affectivity, accompanied and guided by Father Gaetano Piccolo and by Dr Anna Martusciello, psychotherapist.

Different inputs were offered and in-depth insights shared. Among the emerging issues: the awareness that the body “is speaking to us” and only by listening carefully to its messages, we are enabled to take care of others and understand their deepest needs; the body connects us to others, exposes us to the possibility of being hurt and makes us vulnerable; acknowledging fragility and wounds and calling them by their name is the first step of a healing process; faith is "incarnated" and without the body it would not be possible; the invitation not to be afraid of our weakness, because it is through it that His love for us reaches us, enabling us to become a body-community.

Among the most precious moments were the general assemblies, the sharing in small groups, the penitential vigil, the daily masses - one of which was presided by the world YEM Responsible, Father Frederic Fornos – and the final feast. Many questions, both ethical and of meaning, came up with the possibility and the joy of listening to never pre-established, liberating, vital answers.